And to quote the wise one on the VHF radio license issue, PatA2 from the old C-Dog site on the license requirement, ("I was right then, I am right now"), read 'em and weep. I did NOT bother with a license for our Gulf Islands cruise, not so sure what I will do for a more extended stay deeper into C-eh-N-eh-D-eh...
The LAW is pretty clear - read it here, direct from the FCC:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html
The STATION license is not necessary in the U.S. or Canada for boaters in their HOME waters. The STATION license, when one is required, like it says, is required to have radio equipment aboard (NOT "installed") - again directly from the FCC: "A ship radio station license authorizes radio equipment aboard a ship, while the restricted radiotelephone operator permit authorizes a specific person to communicate with foreign stations or use certain radio equipment (e.g., MF/HF single sideband radio or satellite radio). " So it would seem that it would apply to having a handheld VHF aboard as well. The station license is necessary to have the radio equipment aboard, whether or not you transmit. The operator's license is necessary only for the person who actually transmits using the equipment.
Some ships are "compulsory" ships, that is vessels that are required by law or treaty to have radio equipment on board. All other are "voluntary." The FCC decided a number of years ago that it was better policy to promote safety by encouraging voluntary vessels to have radios on board than to impose barriers with licensing requirements. But by law this is only in HOME (U.S.) waters.
The LAW requires U.S. boaters to have both a station license and an operator's license in foreign waters, including Canada. The operator's license is required by both U.S. and Canadian law for U.S. boats in Canada.
The PRACTICE however is pretty well documented also that both countries tend to ignore the law for small voluntary boats in the vicinity of the border. But as mentioned above, it is a matter of your risk tolerance. I seriously doubt whether the US Coast Guard cares if you have a station license aboard while travelling in Canadian waters. I know there is a Canadian Coast Guard (hear them on Channel 16 all the time, my home port is Birch Bay, WA, a couple of miles south of the border). I hear them occasionally sternly reprimanding errant boaters for misuse of the marine VHF, and I will bet they are more concerned with proper use than licensing per se (too many boats out there, it would truly be futile to try to enforce licensing strictly - remember the days when CB technically required a license?) The FCC has a hard time keeping up with aggregious violations let alone technical violations (I am a licensed ham operator, and know this without doubt). But it is true there is some potential exposure, you could be that one in a thousand fluke case...
